Davey Johnson said all along the man who would decide when Jayson Werth came off the disabled list would be Jayson Werth.

So when the veteran outfielder sent word late Wednesday night through general manager Mike Rizzo that he was ready to return after nine games on a rehab assignment with Class AAA Syracuse and Class A Potomac, the Nationals manager didn’t need to hear any more information.

“That was what I was waiting for, him to say: ‘I’m ready,'” Johnson said this afternoon.

Thus, for the first time since May 6, Werth is in the Nationals’ lineup, starting in center field and batting sixth against the Phillies. He makes his return slightly less than three months after breaking his left wrist trying to make a sliding catch in right field against the same Philadelphia club, with the same left-hander (Cole Hamels) on the mound.Read more

Full circle with Cole on the mound, playing the Phils. You think that had something to do with Werth being so insistent that he is ready? Things certainly have changed in the division since then, though.

I had thought that we needed to clear a spot on the 40 man as well, but just counted and it seems to still be at 40, so I guess no action is required until / unless Cole Kimball needs to come off the DL?

Wasn't it just yesterday that Davey said he would go with 8 in the BP? He made the right decision, whatever the reason. The extra bat on the bench is more valuable than Henry in the BP. When Desi comes back, I hope they finally DFA DeRosa. We would still have Lombo and Tracy as IF backups, with TyMo backing up both 1b and LF, with Bernie as the 4th guy in the OF. Two lefties, a rightie and a SH, plus the backup catcher, on the bench, whoever that turns out to be.

I know we just lost two games to the ( gag) fils. But I am excited about Werth being back, HRod being stashed and Jordan's honor. It's been a good season for a Nat's fan. They have showed the baseball universe that they are for real and a force to be reckoned with for a long time to come.

Someone on a previous post said that we are at 39.I was thinking there would be another catcher by now … so I discounted the 39 assuming that's why that slot was still there. I guess they can always release Maldonado but then he would be unavailable in Syracuse for 10 days. Guess they could use a filler catcher until then if they needed to do something. Maldonado, CMW, and Yunesky Maya seem to be the three most likely to lose their slots should the Nats decide to make a move.

MicheleS said… Swami.. i bet based on Mark's tweet that Tyler was hiding all day from Davey. But thankfully we have the DL/Witness protection program for Henry. I really hope he gets it worked out. Just love watching him scare the beejeezzus out of the opposing hitters. ______________________________I don't believe for a minute that there was any other plan. They say it but no way do you keep Henry up. Rizzo takes him away so its not an issue.When rosters are expanded on Sept 1 he will reappear and the Nats no longer have to worry about a DFA.

I love the witness protection plan comment – so funny. I think they have been cooking up this plan for days. In September he can terrify people.Who knows – maybe he will locate his command? Maybe there is a spot in that program for Wang, Michele?

When Desi comes back, I hope they finally DFA DeRosa.By then it will be September 1st and it won't matter. Davey can keep him around as a mascot as long as he doesn't put him on the playoff roster … if there's a playoff roster … but he probably will. Perez, Brown, Lannan, Severino, Maldonado or Hill (if they swap places) possibly Anthony Rendon (adding another infielder) would join the team. Rendon would need to keep in shape for the AFL. Marerro is still injured and seems unlikely. I think by September 1st they will really want to have Hill up on the roster.

With Mike Fontenot being DFA'd by the Phillies yesterday, I think the nats might be able to grab the MI-backup that they need, at least until Desmond's healthy again. He's hitting well (.289) and plays decent defense.

MicheleS said… Swami.. i bet based on Mark's tweet that Tyler was hiding all day from Davey. But thankfully we have the DL/Witness protection program for Henry. I really hope he gets it worked out. Just love watching him scare the beejeezzus out of the opposing hitters. This is the right attitude, IMO. I've always wanted to give Oh Henry the time to work out the mental aspect of his pitching, thinking of Hanrahan as the poster child for this. Come September, there's room for Henry again, so this should be a "fish or cut bait next year" problem, not for this year.